More than 150 rescued from rooftops in High River

Stephane Massinon and David Fraser, Calgary Herald06.19.2014

High River residents are in shock as they see their homes flooded on Thursday June 20, 2013.Gavin Young
/ Calgary Herald

The road to High River high school is a “disaster” said Herald journalist Val Fortney before tweeting that she had to be rescued from her car, which is at risk of being washed away in the floodwaters.Val Fortney
/ Calgary Herald

Several vehicles were caught in fast rising waters in high river.Rick Donkers
/ Calgary Herald

Work crews were digging to highway 22 in Black Diamond in hopes of getting the water to go back into the Sheep River on June 20, 2012 as major flooding hit the area after a heavy rain fall.Lorraine Hjalte
/ Calgary Herald

Work crews were digging to highway 22 in Black Diamond in hopes of getting the water to go back into the Sheep River on June 20, 2012 as major flooding hit the area after a heavy rain fall.Lorraine Hjalte Lorraine Hjalte
/ Calgary Herald

Work crews were digging to highway 22 in Black Diamond in hopes of getting the water to go back into the Sheep River on June 20, 2012 as major flooding hit the area after a heavy rain fall.Lorraine Hjalte Lorraine Hjalte
/ Calgary Herald

Work crews were digging to highway 22 in Black Diamond in hopes of getting the water to go back into the Sheep River on June 20, 2012 as major flooding hit the area after a heavy rain fall.Lorraine Hjalte
/ Calgary Herald

Work crews were digging to highway 22 in Black Diamond in hopes of getting the water to go back into the Sheep River on June 20, 2012 as major flooding hit the area after a heavy rain fall.Lorraine Hjalte Lorraine Hjalte
/ Calgary Herald

Work crews were digging to highway 22 in Black Diamond in hopes of getting the water to go back into the Sheep River on June 20, 2012 as major flooding hit the area after a heavy rain fall.Lorraine Hjalte
/ Calgary Herald

Work crews were digging to highway 22 in Black Diamond in hopes of getting the water to go back into the Sheep River on June 20, 2012 as major flooding hit the area after a heavy rain fall.Lorraine Hjalte
/ Calgary Herald

Work crews were digging to highway 22 in Black Diamond in hopes of getting the water to go back into the Sheep River on June 20, 2012 as major flooding hit the area after a heavy rain fall.Lorraine Hjalte Lorraine Hjalte
/ Calgary Herald

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More than 150 people have been rescued from rooftops in High River and the town is now under evacuation because of “extremely dangerous and rapid flooding.”

And residents say the damage to the town is catastrophic.

The province said at 1:05 p.m. that the town is under an emergency evacuation but town officials cannot be reached for information.

The extent of the damage is unclear, but residents still in town estimate that thousands of homes could be flooded.

In an alert, the province directed residents to the emergency evacuation centre at Highwood High School on 12 Ave and said a second emergency evacuation centre has been set up in Nanton at the Tom Horneker Recreation Centre.

The province is advising people to leave High River immediately and listen to local authorities for updates.

“Move to high ground,” said the alert.

Police say there are multiple search and rescue efforts currently underway.

FLOOD RUSHED IN RAPIDLY

RCMP Sgt. Patricia Neely said 150 people have been rescued from rooftops.

“This is a lot more significant than what we usually see. To have 150 people that were forced to roofs shows the speed and how quickly this flood came through,” said Neely.

Three military helicopters are en route, she said.

In the community of Montrose — a new community on the south side of High River — more than 200 people are surrounded by water and are being told they will be ferried out. They are stranded on the highest ground in the community and awaiting the boats.

Mark Kent, one of the residents, said they are completely stranded and cut off. His house is flooded.

He said “half of High River” homes are flooded.

“The water came rushing in so fast,” he said.

“Helicopters are flying people off rooftops right now.”

'NOBODY WAS PREPARED'

The situation is much more dire than the major floods in 2005, he said.

“2005 doesn’t even compare to what this is, that was just a puddle compared to what this is,” said Kent.

Wayne Goodman, another Montrose resident in High River, spent part of the day in a canoe and figures he and his brother helped rescue a dozen people, including children.

“Nobody was prepared for this,” said Goodman.

“The system didn’t work. It failed.”

He estimated a couple thousand homes are flooded.

“It’s just a shame. You can’t believe the damage here,” said Goodman.

The military is monitoring the situation. CFB Edmonton spokesman Fraser Logan said at 3:15 p.m. that no official request has been received for the military’s assistance.

“We do have a dedicated military officer who is in constant contact with the Alberta Emergency Management Agency’s operation centre. We are monitoring the situation very closely,” Logan said.

RESIDENTS 'VERY ANGRY' AT LACK OF PREPARATION

Dozens of cars in the High River have been swept away and there is limited to no access to emergency centres. Almost the entire town is under water with water levels still rising.

Many people are angry the town was not better prepared, including Teri Mans who watched as her diabetic husband struggled through waist-deep water and strong currents after being stranded in his truck on 1 St.

“They started sandbagging but by then it was too late. I am very angry,” said Mans.

“I realize it is a state of emergency, but this town needs to get better prepared living this close to the Highwood River. It’s ridiculous.”

“None of the emergency services will get him. They told me to leave him, which is crazy,” said Mans.

A search and rescue effort is also ongoing south of Black Diamond at Highway 22 and Highway 541. It started with two missing adults, but one has since been spotted and the other is missing from a trailer that was swept away.

CAMPGROUNDS, HOMES NEAR WATER EVACUATED

The MD of Foothills, which includes Okotoks, High River and Black Diamond, declared a state of emergency at 9:20 a.m. and anyone who lives near a river, creek or stream is asked to leave. All campgrounds near the water are being closed.

Earlier in the day, officials from High River declared a local state of emergency at 7:04 a.m. because the Highwood River is rising quickly and overflowing its banks.

Forecasters said on Thursday morning the river could crest between noon and early evening.

At the time, High River spokeswoman Joan Botkin said the situation was “urgent” and would be worse than the flooding it received in 2005.

“If the river crests it will be significant flooding in the town of High River,” she said.

The flooding has even forced the town’s emergency operations centre to move. It was in town hall but has moved to the fire station.

The Centre Street bridge has been closed.

In Okotoks, a flood watch was issued for the Sheep River but only minor flooding in low lying areas is expected.

Campers in Sheep River Park are being told to leave.

Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for Elizabeth St, McRae St and North Railway St.

The Government of Alberta has also issued a critical alert for overland flooding in Black Diamond.

Officials are warning about localized flooding near the Foothills Lions Campground and some residents who live west of 1 St S.W. are asked to leave their homes.

Highway 22 has been closed near the campground.

Officials were also concerned about a sour gas leak in Turner Valley which released life threatening gases, but officials say the situation has been contained to the gas plant in town,

Barry Williamson, a town councillor and spokesman, said any excess gas is being flared, and crews are monitoring the situation.

Many of the residents who live in the area had already left their homes due to the flooding, though he said emergency crews went into the affected areas to ensure they were evacuated.

In total, he estimates 50 to 60 homes were evacuated.

Thankfully, no injuries or medical incidents related to the leak have been reported, he said.

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